8. LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company leases various equipment and real properties under long-term operating leases. Total rental expense was $29.8 million in 2001, $31.7 million in 2000 and $26.7 million in 1999. The minimum annual lease payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

Year		Amount
2002	$	27,323
2003	28,430
2004	23,957
2005	21,704
2006	20,447
2007 and thereafter	111,277

Most of the leases require payment of operating expenses applicable to the leased assets. Management expects that in the normal course of business most leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases.

<-- note 7

note 9 -->